Quick back-up to suit Encap in the 2025 Epsom Handicap

Trainer Gary Portelli will again turn to a quick turnaround for Encap, who lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick.

The gelding produced a career peak earlier this year when storming into third place in the Doncaster Mile, only four days after his previous run. This time, Portelli is banking on a seven-day back-up to spark another big performance.

“In the Doncaster he raced four days before and he really hit the line that day,” Portelli said.

“He’s a funny horse…. He just switches off but if we can get him switched on for the weekend, maybe that quick back-up might be what he needs.”

Encap drew barrier six for the $3 million mile, a gate Portelli is comfortable with. More pressing, he said, will be the tempo of the race, given the horse’s tendency to settle back early.

“He won’t go early and he comes home late,” Portelli explained. “We need some speed on and if it’s a truly run race he will be joining in at some point.

“He ran a huge race in the Doncaster and if he puts that together again, he should be very hard to beat.”

Stablemate Verona Rose will also contest the race from barrier three. She tumbles down to just 50kg after running second in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last start.

Her ultimate goal is the Golden Eagle (1500m), but Portelli is eager to test her against stronger opposition at Group 1 level.

“Every time we step her up she handles the rise in class,” he said. “She gets 50 (kilos) on her back. She is an improving mare and I don’t know where she lies but I’m hoping the Golden Eagle might be a race for her later on.

“This will be a nice stepping stone to get her in there.”

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